Apple Seeds 'Snow Leopard Graphics Update' to Developers

MacRumors · Aug 4, 2010, 04:02 PM

Apple has reportedly seeded a new software update called "Snow Leopard Graphics Update" to developers. While the exact focus of the update in testing is unclear, it appears from the areas in which developers are being asked to focus their testing that it addresses several aspects of graphics performance including VRAM utilization and hot-plugging and wake-from-sleep issues. The general release notes claim only that the update addresses reliability of "graphics applications and games".

Many users have been anxiously awaiting some sort of graphics improvements from Apple considering issues cited with high-performance games running under Mac OS X 10.6.4. It is unclear, however, whether any such improvements are included in this graphics update or in Mac OS X 10.6.5, which Apple is reportedly preparing to begin seeding to developers. It also unknown when these two software updates will be made available to the general public.

Article Link: Apple Seeds 'Snow Leopard Graphics Update' to Developers

ouimetnick · Aug 4, 2010, 04:04 PM

Lets hope we can play games and use graphics intensive apps. Apple seems to suck at graphics drivers.

Žalgiris · Aug 4, 2010, 04:04 PM

Best news today.

camomac · 04:33 PM

good to see that it's not all "i" updates lately...

iamrawr · Aug 4, 2010, 04:05 PM

yay for games! =D

Eidorian · Aug 4, 2010, 04:07 PM

I want to see those package contents.

edgarf28 · Aug 4, 2010, 04:07 PM

I've sent this in

btw, the drivers/extensions are dated 31-07-2010.
and includes new OpenGL/OpenCL.framework's.

darkplanets · Aug 4, 2010, 04:08 PM

Now if only someone would violate their NDA and publish the seed notes...

Really though, it would be nice, but hey, I can't blame you for not doing it. I know there's some people on here who have access to this though.

ChazUK · Aug 4, 2010, 04:08 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Any ideas what chipsets the updates are for?

Frosties · Aug 4, 2010, 04:10 PM

Any hope for better intel drivers or choice of graphics card? There is room for improvement here Apple.

edgarf28 · Aug 4, 2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazUK

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Any ideas what chipsets the updates are for?

this includes new kext's for all ATi/Nvidia/Intel chips.
including ATi 5xxx kext's.

jeffedsell · Aug 4, 2010, 04:11 PM

If it lets me run Steam games on my older iMac (2006) I'll be Snoopy-dancing all over the house.

Žalgiris · Aug 4, 2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazUK

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Any ideas what chipsets the updates are for?

All maybe?

DylanLikesPorn · Aug 4, 2010, 04:12 PM

Safari already feels snappier just reading this news.

Brinkman · Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM

Can't wait for better performance in Steam games and Starcraft 2

iBookG4user · Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM

This is very good news, let's hope that it addresses all of the issues.

wjlafrance · Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM

Here's to possibly not being the last person to load in StarCraft II on my late 2009 MacBook (maxed out RAM and HD).

ChazUK · Aug 4, 2010, 04:16 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgarf28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazUK

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Any ideas what chipsets the updates are for?

this includes new kext's for all ATi/Nvidia/Intel chips.
including ATi 5xxx kext's.

Fantastic news.

I know I only have a 2400xt but if an update can squeeze a little more from the old dog, I'll be extatic!

Animalk · Aug 4, 2010, 04:16 PM

I will be very disappointed in Apple if this graphics overhaul doesn't improve performance for all Intel based macs.

Tyre · Aug 4, 2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Animalk

I will be very disappointed in Apple if this graphics overhaul doesn't improve performance for all Intel based macs.

Ditto. I've had a few sluggish graphics-related performances in the past months. No big deal, just would be nice to see that cleared up. Nice to know Apple is working on it.

rmbrown09 · Aug 4, 2010, 04:24 PM

I'm excited to see the revamping of Vram utilization. even 2X AA is absolutely undoable.

and 256 on a GT 330m should be able to at least handle 2xaa, more like 6 or 8. It can on the Direct X version.

Nuvi · Aug 4, 2010, 04:25 PM

Apple graphics drivers need some special attention. If there is one are Windows kicks OS X butt big time its graphics performance. It's really depressing to see how much unused graphics power you have when you boot to Windows with your Mac. Hope Apple keeps working hard on the drivers.

Jacquesass · Aug 4, 2010, 04:25 PM

Rob Morgan over at BareFeats.com took a new 27" iMac and cloned the HD into the previous 27" iMac - with impressive improvement in gaming graphics:

http://www.barefeats.com/imac10g.html

Good things are coming...

azdude · Aug 4, 2010, 04:27 PM

Cool! Only a couple weeks, maybe, until we see "Apple releases Steam/Starcraft II Graphics Performance Update."

Žalgiris · Aug 4, 2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazUK

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Fantastic news.

I know I only have a 2400xt but if an update can squeeze a little more from the old dog, I'll be extatic!

It's still good for older games and old doesn't mean bad.

Aug 4, 2010, 04:02 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple Seeds 'Snow Leopard Graphics Update' to Developers Apple has reportedly seeded a new software update called "Snow Leopard Graphics Update" to developers. While the exact focus of the update in testing is unclear, it appears from the areas in which developers are being asked to focus their testing that it addresses several aspects of graphics performance including VRAM utilization and hot-plugging and wake-from-sleep issues. The general release notes claim only that the update addresses reliability of "graphics applications and games". Many users have been anxiously awaiting some sort of graphics improvements from Apple considering issues cited with high-performance games running under Mac OS X 10.6.4. It is unclear, however, whether any such improvements are included in this graphics update or in Mac OS X 10.6.5, which Apple is reportedly preparing to begin seeding to developers. It also unknown when these two software updates will be made available to the general public. Article Link: Apple Seeds 'Snow Leopard Graphics Update' to Developers
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:04 PM	#2
ouimetnick macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly, Massachusetts	Lets hope we can play games and use graphics intensive apps. Apple seems to suck at graphics drivers. __________________ Rest in peace. Steven Paul Jobs 1955-2011 (56) Thanks for your intelligence, role model, and innovations. I miss you.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:05 PM	#4
camomac macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Left Coast	good to see that it's not all "i" updates lately... __________________ Bluray? What's that? Last edited by camomac; Aug 4, 2010 at 04:33 PM.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:05 PM	#5
iamrawr macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Jersey	yay for games! =D __________________ iPhone 4 16GB '10 MacBook Pro 15" i7 Hi-Res w/ Momentus XT 6GB Ram 3rd-Gen iPod Touch 32GB
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:07 PM	#6
Eidorian macrumors Penryn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	I want to see those package contents. __________________ Core i5 750 / 16 GB RAM / SSD / HD 7950 / Windows 8 MRoogle it!
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:04 PM	#3
Žalgiris Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lithuania	Best news today.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:07 PM	#7
edgarf28 macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2008	I've sent this in btw, the drivers/extensions are dated 31-07-2010. and includes new OpenGL/OpenCL.framework's.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:08 PM	#8
darkplanets macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2009	Now if only someone would violate their NDA and publish the seed notes... Really though, it would be nice, but hey, I can't blame you for not doing it. I know there's some people on here who have access to this though.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:08 PM	#9
ChazUK macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Essex (UK)	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.2; en-gb; Nexus One Build/FRF91) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1) Any ideas what chipsets the updates are for? __________________ Media Player: 5th Gen iPod Touch 32GB Phones: LG Nexus 4 16GB \| Apple iPhone 4 8GB \| Nokia Lumia 620 Tablets: Apple iPad2 3G 16GB \| Apple iPad Mini 16GB \| Archos 80 Titanium 8GB
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:10 PM	#10
Frosties macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	Any hope for better intel drivers or choice of graphics card? There is room for improvement here Apple.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:11 PM	#12
jeffedsell macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2006	Please... If it lets me run Steam games on my older iMac (2006) I'll be Snoopy-dancing all over the house.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:12 PM	#14
DylanLikesPorn Banned Join Date: May 2010	Safari already feels snappier just reading this news.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM	#15
Brinkman macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2010	Can't wait for better performance in Steam games and Starcraft 2
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM	#16
iBookG4user macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California	This is very good news, let's hope that it addresses all of the issues. __________________ Super high tech stuff goes here
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:13 PM	#17
wjlafrance macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI	Here's to possibly not being the last person to load in StarCraft II on my late 2009 MacBook (maxed out RAM and HD). __________________ Early 2011 MacBook Pro 17", 2.3GHz i7 (8MB L3), 8GB, 1.25TB Fusion Drive Mac Plus, Mac Classic II, PowerMac G5, and more iPhone 5, iPhone 4 CDMA, iPhone 3GS
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:16 PM	#19
Animalk macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal Canada	I will be very disappointed in Apple if this graphics overhaul doesn't improve performance for all Intel based macs. __________________ MBP C2D 2.16Ghz 4GB RAM ATI x1600 128MB VRAM WD 500GB White iPad 2 32GB Wifi White iPhone 5 64GB
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:24 PM	#21
rmbrown09 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010	I'm excited to see the revamping of Vram utilization. even 2X AA is absolutely undoable. and 256 on a GT 330m should be able to at least handle 2xaa, more like 6 or 8. It can on the Direct X version. __________________ Had: 4 MBP's + 1 MBA HAVE: 2600k i7 @ 4.5GHz, GTX 690 OC'd, SSD RAID 0, 16GB DDR3 @ 2400Mhz, HAF X Case, 27" 1440p Catleap, BlackWidow Ultimate, Windows 7!
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:25 PM	#22
Nuvi macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008	Apple graphics drivers need some special attention. If there is one are Windows kicks OS X butt big time its graphics performance. It's really depressing to see how much unused graphics power you have when you boot to Windows with your Mac. Hope Apple keeps working hard on the drivers.
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:25 PM	#23
Jacquesass macrumors regular Join Date: May 2003	BareFeats has a preview Rob Morgan over at BareFeats.com took a new 27" iMac and cloned the HD into the previous 27" iMac - with impressive improvement in gaming graphics: http://www.barefeats.com/imac10g.html Good things are coming... __________________ PowerMac 7100/66 -> PowerBook G4/800 -> MBP 15"/2.4
	0

Aug 4, 2010, 04:27 PM	#24
azdude macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2003	Cool! Only a couple weeks, maybe, until we see "Apple releases Steam/Starcraft II Graphics Performance Update."
	0

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